Laois 1-24 Antrim 2-11 Laois enhanced their prospects of extending their tenure in the top flight by coming from behind to defeat Antrim at Casement Park, Belfast, yesterday.
Commitment allied to slick finishing made Laois the superior force in the closing stages.
Antrim had led 0-7 to 0-2 after 20 minutes and looked capable of cementing their advantage. But just before the break, Laois plundered a goal through Robert Jones and led 1-5 to 0-7 at the interval.
LAOIS: K Galvin; D Rooney, Patrick Cuddy, C Cuddy; J Fitzpatrick , Paul Cuddy, M McEvoy; D Cuddy (0-4), J Walsh; C Coonan, J Young (0-7), R Jones (1-1); T Fitzgerald, L Tynan (0-5), D Culleton (0-2). Subs: J Dunne (0-2) for Coonan (28 mins); C Brophy (0-3) for Jones (58); P Mahon for Walsh (65); D Walsh for Fitzgerald (70).
ANTRIM: D Quinn; M Kettle, K Kelly, B Herron; M McCambridge, K McKeegan (0-1), C Herron; J Connolly (1-2), M Scullion; L Richmond (0-1), C McGuckian, L Watson (1-3); B McFall (0-3), P Richmond (0-1), A Delargy. Subs: D Quinn for Delargy (27 mins); C Cunning for Scullion (48 mins); J Campbell for C Herron (52 mins).
Referee: O Smith (Meath)
